Made in Dagenham

Directed by Nigel Cole. This BBC film is based on true events from 1968 that were instrumental in the Equal Pay Act of 1970. 187 sewing Machinists at the Dagenham plant went on strike over sexual discrimination and the right to equal pay. The film stars Bob Hoskins, Sally Hawkins, Miranda Richardson, Rosamund Pike, Jamie Winstone, Richard Schiff, John Sessions, Kenneth Cranham and Daniel Mays. The film provides a glimpse into social history and gives an insight into the mood of the nation at a time when industrial action was a regular occurrence and the trade unions wielded significant power.

This is one of those films that is easy to watch and is guaranteed to make smile, laugh and cry at all the right moments. You can't help but get carried away with the unfolding events. Bob Hoskins is fantastic in his role of Alfred Passingham, a union rep at the plant. Alfred encourages Rita (Sally Hawkins) a married mother of two to speak up for the machinists rights to the management. The Ford managers dismiss the action of the machinists thinking that they will go back to work if they give them a token gesture. But this is only the beginning. At first Rita's husband Eddie, also a plant worker is supportive and feels the action will run its course quickly and life will return to normal. However as the action continues and his job is effected his resolve begins to waiver.

The soundtrack is also guaranteed to have you tapping your toes and singing along and the captures the mood of the time.

This is well worth a watch and one of the best British films of recent years.